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right by Cornell University
Library 1991.GEORGE B. RUSSELLHampautU?
N t ut fork
ullfe (Comitg £>mt of JHabtaon (ttountg
An fSpatnriral §>ketrfj
ha
(Seornp S. iSuaaeU, Ebo.
'IS'.
1909
Stye 5Hsjmtflj press
<®tu>€J Read before the Madison County
Historical Society on February the seven-
teenth, nineteen hundred and nine, after-
ward largely extended, and done into a
book of two hundred copies, of whichSeitiratph
(So dig 3frtPttI>a in ffiampsuilleSutruburiinn
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The material from which I have
gathered the thoughts for this even-
ing’s discourse might easily be made
to fill a volume, but I shall be obliged
to leave out much of little romances,
ornamental sentences and imagina-
tions which constitute the flowers
with which most feasts are garnished.
I must formally confess that X have
not responded to this invitation and
courteous calls without some misgiv-
ings. You are to listen to one of
your humble citizens with nothing to
attract your attention but plain facts
and statistics, with a simple innova-
tion now and then. I feel that £
have a difficult task in trying to
keep the ear of an audience during
the time ordinarily allotted to a
speaker, yet there arc encouraging
features when you are before an au-
dience that are composed of men,
and women, who are more for his-
tory than oratorical effect.
Public addresses are as common to
the ear as the music by machinery
on public streets and one who has
searched the books for knowledge is
often persuaded to think that his call-
ing has come, but it is gratifying to
know that the call comes from
friends, but the task is greater to
shine in the firmament where it is
full of stars and your intelligent ears
are used to eloquence.
(•)W a m p s v i 11 e
My subject I have taken from the
immediate vicinity of Wampsville, its
early settlement, and its notable citi-
zens. It has been the theme of
thought in this county for the past
three years. There is hardly a man,
woman or child who have not heard
arguments, pro and con, with refer-
ence to our new county seat.
For the information which I have
been able to obtain, I am indebted
to DeXVitt C. Hadcock, Charles Cobb,
R. A. McConnell. Miss Phillips, Miss
VanDeWalker, Mr. Rudd. Mr. Miller,
and William Poland, hlach of them
has been very willing to inform me
and gave me a great deal of early
history of Wampsville. That which I
have collected would easily make a
small volume and it is to them that
I feel somewhat indebted and express
my thanks.
i
(10)HiainpautlU
An Historical Sketch
All the country west of Albany
county which embraced this portion
of the State was once known, in 1772,
as Tryon, named after a man by the
name of William Tryon, Colonial gov-
ernor at the time, but his actions
during the Revolutionary struggle, in,
which lie exhibited unmistakeable
hostility to the Americans, the in-
habitants of this county were desirous
of dispensing with the name thus
rendered obnoxious. It was by an
act of the Legislature passed April
2, 1784 changed to Montgomery coun-
ty in honor of Richard Montgomery,
who bravely fought and fell at Que-
bec. Whitestown was formed from
Montgomery county by an act of the
Legislature passed March 7, 1788, and
which territory embraced this portion
of our county. Cazenovia was the
first town formed in this county. It
was formed in 1795, and at that time
embraced all the territory in the town
of Lenox, Sullivan, parts of Stock-
bridge, Smithfield, Fenner, Cazenjovia,
(IDW a m p s v i 11 e
Nelson, Georgetown, DeRuyter, and
Lincklaen, Pitcher, Otselic and Ger-
man of Chenango county. By an act
passed March 15, 1798, Chenango coun-
ty was set off and which embraced
this portion of Madison county, ex-
cept that part of. Stockbridge which
was on the east side of Oneida creek.
By an act of the Legislature passed
March 21, 1806, Madison county was
formed. At that time there were only
five towns within the county of Mad-
ison, and they were Brookfield, Caz-
enovia, Hamilton, Sullivan and De-
Ruyter.
Sullivan was formed from Cazenovia
February 22nd, 1803, and Lenox was
formed from Sullivan March 3, 1809.
Stockbridge was formed from Lenox
in 1836.
INDIANS.
During this period of time the in-
habitants were mostly Indians, their
principal occupation being that of
hunting and fishing. The wives or
squaws of the Indians usually tilled
the soil, raised the crops through the
summer season and dried the wild
fruits for the winter’s use, as
some do at the present time. The
men did but very little work. They
donned their war-paint and feathers
and did the fishing and hunting.
From DeFrontenac’s History I find
that Oneida Lake was originally call-
(12)Indians
ed Lake Tsheroque and that the
French and Indians came across Onei-
da Lake and up the Oneida creek and
in 1642 to 1696 there were various
Indian battles between the invading
tribes, known as the Algonquins, and
the Five Nations.
The Five Nations occupied this ter-
itory and were known as the Oneidas,
Mohawks, Cayugas, Senecas and On-
ondagas. They were friendly toward
each other and they had a form of
religious belief, which was that the
Great Spirit helps the successful and
turns his face from those he designs
shall be defeated. David Cusick, a
Tuscarorian historian, in his narra-
tion, says that the Oneidas in all
their wanderings were followed by a
large stone (O-ne-i-ta), meaning the
“people of the stone,” “Onei” mean-
ing stone, “ta” life or living stone,
which were known everywhere in
placing the same in the crotch of a
tree. Some of them also adopted the
doctrine taught by the Jesuit priests.
They had been sent here in 1684 and
remained here until 1696 and had
built numerous missions within this
section of the country. One was built
near Wampsville where the school
house now stands and it was made of
logs. It was their evident intent to
win the Five Nations and control
them. About this time De Da Barr,
then Governor-General of Canada,
(13)W a m p s v i 11 e
tried to establish forcible possession
of the country. Another war was
precipitated. They had given the Five
Nations the name of Iroquois and
they would not be subdued or won
over. Their territory had been in-
vaded, and the French had tried to
plant their flag in this territory, and
a battle ensued. DeFrontenac, the
French historian, in his memoran-
dums dated the 4th day of August,
1696, writes that he had with an, army
marched on to Onondaga, killed its
chief and burned the forts and stock-
ades to the ground, and then marched
toward Oneida with 600 or 700 men,
which was 14 leagues, and that he
was met one league from Oneida
and there took 35 prisoners. He then
camped by the side of a beautiful
river. I believe that this was the
battle ground and as a further cor-
roboration I learn from the oldest
inhabitants, with whom I have talked,
that near the village of Wampsville
on the side hill near the Cowasselon
creek are hundreds of Indian bodies
buried. The Cowasselon is said to
have derived its name from the weep-
ing squaw, and which undoubtedly
was the fact after the battle in 1696,
but the word “Kwasalone” means
bushes hanging over the water. Other
traditions handed down claim that the
squaws used to follow the creek and
from its bed take fresh water clam
(14)Indians
shells, which, when polished, were
very beautiful and out of which some
very elaborate trimmings for dresses
were made and also wampum belts.
The only monument to mark the rest-
ing places of the great warriors who
defended our territory, which today
we are occupying, are simple quarry-
stone put up in different places all
along the hill where the gravel bed
is and oft-times while digging gravel
the bones and skulls are found. 1
am also informed that 80 years ago
it was not an uncommon occurrence
for children who attended the little
school house to find skulls which they
used to scare the other children with,
and so today that battle is corrobor-
ated without a doubt and 1 think it
must have been one of the great
battles that was fought near the vil-
lage of Wampsville. The French were
the losers and they failed to in-
duce the Indians to allow them to
plant their flag and cross in New
York State and were driven from it,
and today they have and are entitled
to our heartfelt thanks for having
saved us from being Frenchmen.
Sir William Johnson, an Irishman,
was jilted in love in Ireland, and
sought peace in and near the Oneidas.
It is related of him that he was sharp
and witty, and settled among the Five
Nations and was their counsellor and
oft-times dressed as an Indian, join-
(15)W a m p s v i 11 e
ing in the war dances. At one time
the chief of the Mohawks, Hendrick,
came to him and said: “I dream.”
Johnson said to him: “What did you
dream?” and the Indian replied “I
dreamed you gave me one suit of
clothes,” which Sir William did. It
was a very finely made suit and
looked well on the Indian. Some time
after that he met the Indian chief
and said to him: “I dreamed last
night,” and Chief Hendrick said*
“What did you dream?” Sir William
said: “I dreamed you gave me a tract
of land,” at the same time describing
it, in Herkimer county. It was 12
miles square. The Indian said: “You
may have the land, but we no dream
again. You dreiam too hard for me.”
It was afterwards called the Royal
Patent.
There were numerous chieftains
within the radius of the Canasuraga
and Cowassalon flats, as this terri-
tory was formerly called. Canastota
was unknown when Wampsville was
a flourishing village. It derived its
name from the Indian word “Knista,”
signifying clusters of pines, and “Sto-
ta,” meaning in the Indian language
still, silent, motionless, and the swamp
north of the village, which is now
known as “Oniontown,” was called
“Still Waters” by the Indians.
Honyost was one of the principal
chieftains together with John August,
(16)Indians
another Indian chieftain. John Au-
gust was located near where the dam
is on the Cowassalon, below Wim-
mitt’s, and from the early records
there was a settlement there of In-
dians. They built their villages in a
circle and their wigwams were built
so that the smoke as it curled went
out at the top of the wigwam. Their
beds were usually of some fine fur,
such as bear skin, deer skin and
skins from many other fur-bearing
animals. There were at least two
distinct villages along the Cowassa-
lon Creek, but the coming of the
white settlers and the devastation of
the forests marked the decline of the
Indian braves and they traced their
steps toward the setting sun, and as
the rays of the rising sun crested the
last sharp rise over the hills and
looked down upon the little cabins
in Wampsville, huddling in the spruce
and evergreens, it was an island of
humanity in the beautiful sea of the
wilderness.
LAW AND GOVERNMENT.
I think it proper to diverge a little
from my subject on account of the
profession of which I am a member,
but it may be interesting to you to
know how the country was governed
and after considerable research I have
collated some facts and some history
with reference to the law.
(17)A convention was called by the
several States in 1777 for the pur-
pose of ratifying the Constitution
adopted at the opening of the Revo-
lutionary War. They made no alter-
ations so far as selecting the judges
of the Supreme Court was concerned,
but there was a revision commission,
so called, consisting of the Governor,
the Chancellor, the justices of the
Supreme Court and the Senators. The
Constitution recognized the existence
of the Supreme Court. John Hay
was elected chief justice in 1777 and
Robert Yates and John Marian Scott
associate judges. The convention
met and elected Robert R. Livings-
ton as first chancellor and Egbert
Benson as the first attorney-general.
After that all actions were brought
in the name of the People of the
State of New York where the people
were a party to the action, and not
in the name of the king as thereto-
fore. The first term of the Supreme
Court was held in Kingston and Chief
Justice John Hay delivered the first
charge to the Grand jury the 9th
day of August, 1777. There was
somewhat of a difference between the
judges’ salaries then and now. Their
salaries were as follows: Chief jus-
tice received £300 or $750 per year,
and the other judges received $500
and 40 shillings per day for attend-
ance at the Circuit and Oyer and Ter-Law and Government
miner. After the war the first Cir-
cuit Court of Oyer and Terminer was
held in New York city in 1784. Judge
Hobart presided. Under the act of
1785 two terms of court were held in
New York city and two in Albany.
In 1792 an additional associate judge
was appointed. Morgan Lewis was
added, and in 1797 Egbert Benson
was appointed the fifth judge; they
together appointed one of their num-
ber to hold Circuit courts in the
western, eastern, middle and south-
ern districts of this State. At that
time an attorney could be admitted if
he had practiced before the court four
years, but in 1804 it was changed to
three years and this had to be made
upon motion by a reputable attorney
and recommended by the bar. In
1798 James Kent, the author of Kent’s
Commentaries, was appointed a jus-
tice of this court and was elevated to
chief justice in 1804. He was the
first judge who wrote out an opinion
and which opinions we are citing to-
day in many instances. In 1807, by
an act passed the 4th day of April,
the judges were authorized to estab-
lish an additional clerk’s office in
the county of Oneida, which was done,
and Bloodgood was one of the clerks
of the court at that time. The clerk
had to make up the calendar and fur-
nish a transcript and docket to the
court on or before the last day of
(19)W a m p s v i 11 e
every term. The judges held their
term of office during good behaviour
or until they became 60 years of age.
There was no change in the election
of the justices of the Supreme Court
until 1821; later, in 1846, the State
was divided into eight Judicial dis-
tricts and held their office for ten
years. There was also a Court of
Chancery, which heard such actions
as called for equitable relief, that is,
where there was no need of the in-
tervention of a jury, which might
jeopardize the case through the ora-
tory of some brilliant attorney. In
addition, to the salary of the Su-
preme Court judges they were en-
titled for taking bail 2 shillings and
for filing the same 6 pence, for a
recognizance 6 pence, for discontin-
uance of an action 1 shilling, for tak-
ing a bill of costs, 1 shilling, for
acknowledging a deed 2 shillings.
No action could be brought in the
Supreme Court for less than 20
pounds. The appeals were to the
Governor and his council, and here is
where the Supreme Court of this State
took the first decided stand, claim-
ing that the king had no right to
allow a bill of appeal after a convic-
tion for the reason that some influ-
ential defendant might nullify the
jury’s verdict, and which was the case
in 1767, the title of which was Force
against Cunningham. Every juryman
(20)Law and Government
was allowed 1 shilling a day in Su-
preme Court. The fees of the at-
torneys were fixed as follows: Re-
taining fee 6 shillings, for drawing a
writ 3 shillings, for drawing a declar-
ation 6 shillings, for drawing a plea
3 shillings, for pleading upon “tryair
10 shillings. Justices of the peace
were selected, two justices acting with
the Governor were called the General
Court of Assizes, and the first court
that I can find any record of was
held in 1665 in New York city. A
bill of appeal might be taken from a
justice’s court for 12 shillings and if
a high constable fail to appear at any
session of the assizes he was fined
£10 for each day’s absence.
In this connection I have some of
the early records, one of which is
signed by Chancellor Kent, and which
I will explain later. In connection
with the law and government I learn
that Wampsville was the home of
some of the best lawyers of the State.
There was a William Goodell, Mr.
Stewart, Daniel Verbleck, Elisha Wil-
liams, Mr. Quackenbush, Charles De-
Ferrier, and I. S. Spencer. Thomas
T. Doomis was one of the justices of
the peace. He held his court over
the old store at the intersection of
the plank road running from Siloam
to Lenox Basin and Seneca turnpike.
The first courts held in this county
were held alternately between Hamil-
(21)W a m p s v i 11 e
tan and Lenox at the old school house
near David Barnard's, a little west of
Wampsville, and the school house in
Hamilton village. The first murder
trial that was ever held in Madison
county wherein the Grand jury found
an indictment was in 1807, and the
first man indicted was Daniel R. Bax-
ter for assault and battery. He was
discharged. Griffin Watldns and John
Lee, constables, were fined $20 for
non-attendance at court, and Eli F.
Hill, one of the jurors, was fined $2.
The Grand jury found an indictment
against Alpheus Hitchcock for mur-
der, charging that on the 6th day of
April, 1807, he procured poison and
administered it to his wife with in-
tent to kill and which produced her
death. The court adjourned from the
school house July 3, 1807, to the barn
of Sylvenus Smalley, near Quality
Hill, the school house being too small
to hold the people. It was proven at
the trial that he was a singing school
teacher, lived at Hamilton, and that
he fell in love with one of his pupils,
Lois Andrus, and took this inhuman
way to rid himself of his wife. The
case was tried before a jury who ren-
dered a verdict of guilty. He was
sentenced to be hung on the 11th day
of September, 1807, at Oazenovia,
which execution was public, and Jere-
miah Whipple was the sheriff. After
his entrance upon the scaffold, await-
(22)Early Records
ing the adjustment of the fatal noose,
he requested a hymn to be sung,
“Show pity Lord, O Lord forgive,”
and which was sung to the tune of
“Brookfield.” His wish was granted
and he was then launched into eter-
nity.
EARLY RECORDS.
I hold in my hands a subpoena is-
sued in the case of Eaphelet Jewell,
plaintiff, against Angel De Ferrier,
which was written upon parchment,
issued out of and under the hand and
seal of the Circuit Court, of which
James Kent, Esq., was the chief jus-
tice, directed Ary Hill, Adam Hill and
Erastus Balen to appear before the
Circuit Court to be holden at the
school house near the gaol in
Rome in and for the county of
Oneida on the 10th day of June, next,
at 10 o’clock in the forenoon, under
a penalty of $250.00. It is dated the
16th day of May in the 31st year of
our independence, signed by James
Kent, Esq., chief justice of the city
of New York, and BToodgood, clerk
of the court.
T also hold in my hand a deed sign-
ed by Simeon DeWitt, surveyor-gen-
eral of the State of New York, the
22d day of August, 1797, and you will
notice the indenture of the deed.
Hardly any laymen and very few of
us younger lawyers know what the
indenture of a deed means, and to
(23)W a m p s v i I I e
explain it l would say that it means
the curved edge on the top of the
deed. It is said that all deeds were
formerly drawn by a scrivener and a
portion of the deed was kept by him
and the other given to the grantee,
the deed having been cut at the top
with a sharp instrument so that it
would prevent forgeries, as no two
pieces of paper could be cut to fit
absolutely and perfectly. This Con-
veys lot 31. I also hold in my hands
a deed of lot No. 11 given on the 10th
day of April, 1791, by John Lansing
and Abraham G. Lansing to Sarah
and Margaret Lansing for considera-
tion of five shillings, and also a deed
written on parchment given by Philip
Livingston and others to John Cara-
hoga, Kayinguerego and Baheridigha
of a patent dated 1731 for the sum of
five shillings, Which takes about 2,200
acres of land near Chenango creek.
THE EARLY SETTLERS
Myndert Wemple was undoubtedly
the first white settler at Wampsville.
He came there some time about 1784.
He was then 20 years of age, had
been in General Washington’s army,
was a blacksmith by trade and shod
Washington’s horses.
Wemple located near the corner just
across from Mayor McConnell’s home,
and erected a blacksmith shop, the
location of which there is no ques-
(24)The Early Settlers
tion about, as Melvin Getman l as
plowed the land and has found old
forgings, large quantities of cinders
and some ox-shoes, presumably made
by the hand of Myndert Wemple. He
also built a mill there and a house
where Miss VanDeWalker now lives,
carved the door-casings, and the
rooms were all numbered. He also
built the hotel that John Haley used
to run and another hotel near the
Hebron Spencer place, in front of
which is the sulphur spring which
flows like an artesian well. This
hotel has since been moved and is
now occupied by Ed. Suits. I am in-
formed that in front of the last hotel
there was a large willow tree, which
was crotched, and many years before
there had been placed in the crotch of
the tree an ox’s head, through which
the water of the sulphur spring flow-
ed, the tree having grown completely
around the head and all that could be
seen of it was the horns and the
mouth. Harvey Graley came to
Wampsville about 1800 and he there
built a tannery, a shoe shop and a
harness shop, and employed in all
about 30 men. The tannery stood
where Mr. Ingalls’s residence now is,
nearly in front of the Ed. Suits hotel.
He took the ox head from the old
willow tree as a novelty and placed
it in front of the tannery. The tan-
nery was afterward burned. Myn-
(25)W a m p s v i 11 e
dert Wemple was born Dec. 28, 1765,
and died June 28, 1837. His wife,
Sarah Wemple, was born June 16,
1773, and died Nov. 25, 1852. They
are buried in the cemetery at Wamps-
ville and above their remains have
been erected two monuments. Wil-
liam Foland of Canastota is a grand-
son of the founder of Wampsville,
and it is undoubtdly true that it re-
ceived its name from Myndert Wem-
ple, namely, Wemple's Mills, and
from that Wampsville.
COL. ANGEL DE FERRIER.
Angel DeFerrier was one of the
first settlers in Wampsville, and it is
undoubtedly due to him and Myndert
Wemple that the place has become
famous. Angel DeFerrier was a
Frenchman, born of the nobility of
France at Niotne just south of Paris.
He was educated at Brien and when
quite young espoused the cause of
Louis XV T. Many stories are related
with reference to him. He believed
that the country should be governed
by a king. The environments of his
youth molded the man and he be-
came an adherent to the cause of
his belief. The ancient families of
France strove to maintain the em-
pire. DeFerrier belonging to the
nobility, and true to their belief,
their fortunes rose and fell with the
dynasty of France. Napoleon Bona-
(26)Col. Angel De Ferrier
parte was also educated at the same
place and it has been my good for-
tune to have visited the old and an-
cient school, also the palace where
the colonel was one of the king’s
life guards. The palace is located at
Versailles and is one of the most
beautiful places. Art could not pic-
ture it as beautiful. It is located
upon a high hill overlooking a large
portion of France and as you go
down the hill there are numerous
small lakes with steps from one to
the other and in at least four of these
and in and around these artificial
lakes are seen beautiful fountains,
each fountain having been formed
after a serpent, some living animals
like bears, deers and all kinds of
various animals, together with the
pictures of forms, and on the 15th
day of July of each and every year
the water is turned on and these
fountains are allowed to play. The
day that I was there there were 100,-
000 people gathered on the occasion.
It is one of the gala days of France
and it was here, surrounded by the
beautiful, that Colonel DeFerrier
noblv defended his king and was
driven from the palace by tthe Paris-
ian mob. Ninety-three of the body-
guard were captured by violence and
were taken together with about 3,000
others to the guillotine, and I have
witnessed the old block and it recalls
(27)W a m p s v i 11 e
to me the early French history of
how the best and noblest of France
wore there beheaded, over 3,000 of
them. It is said that the street and
its gutters were moistened from that
occasion. DeFerrier then taking what
possessions he could went to Holland
and there embarked with the Holland
Land Company steamer for the Uni-
ted States.
In 1793, together with one other,
they were taken on board the Amer-
ican steamer and when but a few
hours out to sea a French liner came
along side, showed their papers of
authority, and demanded the body of
Angel DeFerrier and his companion.
DeFerrier was entreated to conceal
himself in the wood-pile in the cook-
room where he and his effects were
safely placed. The recess was crudely
formed and the wood piled over and
about him. His friend was taken, but
fruitless search was made for DeFer-
rier, and as the cruiser receded from
view his friend was carried away.
But this was not the only experience.
The next day another cruiser hove in
sight and instantly anxious fear for
the safety of DeFerrier was out on
board. Col. DeFerrier would not al-
low himself to be secreted. He grasp-
ed his sword, saying that he would
not be taken alive, but with saluta-
tions known to mariners only the
captain sprang to DeFerrier’s side
(28)Col. Angel De Ferrier
and said with joy as he grasped his
hand, “You are safe. That vessel is
a Yankee.” And as he landed in
New York, leaving the shores of his
native land behind, he met Col. John
Lincklaen of Cazenovia, with whom
he traveled to Cazenovia. He did
not like Cazenovia, and it is said
that his traveling in and around the
near vicinity of Wampsville was the
cause of it. He had met John Den-
ney, the chieftain of a tribe of In-
dians then inhabiting the Canasura-
gua flats, and as I study from his-
tory I find that these flats embraced
all this territory.
There is a little story connected
with DeFerrier’s life at this time,
which perhaps led Col. DeFerrier to
be dissatisfied with his surroundings
in Cazenovia. The chieftain had a
daughter named Polly and DeFerrier’s
visits to the chieftain’s tent became
more and more numerous, and Polly,
being one of the most charming and
beautiful Indian maidens that ever
lived in this section of the country,
having French blood flowing through
her veins, reciprocated the affection
and began to look for DeFerrier’s
coming. She could ride a horse, use
a bow and arrow, shoot a gun, and
do all the things which the Indian
maiden in those days could do. It
was soon that DeFerrier learned to
talk the Indian language and he be-
(29)W a m p s v i 11 e
came so proficient that he often act-
ed as interpreter. Their long rides
and long walks became more numerou
and finally the hand of the beautiful
maiden was asked for and tradition
says that as a wedding present the
chieftain gave a half bushel measure
of coins to the bride and he also
deeded to Angel DeFerrier a large
tract of land, which deed I hold in
my possession, signed by all of the
family, the old original deed of the
property. DeFerrier then became the
owner of about 3,000 acres of land, a
very large territory, and but few can
say but what the presents received in
those days were greater than those
received today. He and his bride set-
tled upon the old homestead now
occupied by Charles Cobb, who is one
of the descendants of Angel DeFer-
rier.
Col. DeFerrier never allowed him-
self to enter into politics. In 1817
he traveled back to France under a
passport given by the government
and attempted to retrieve the prop-
erty which had been confiscated by
the French government. They laugh-
ed at him, but finally returned a por-
tion of his property. He then re-
turned to this country. The Indians
oft-times used to come to his home
in large numbers and they never were
turned away, but always before retir-
ing Col. DeFerrier used to take his
(30)Col. Angel De Ferrier
gun down, polish it, and his sword
out and sharpen it. He also had two
pistols which he had buckled to his
side. This had a tendency toward
scaring the Indians and they never
molested or hurt him.
I also have a search which was
made February 16, 1817. It is not
real estate, but it is a search or
geneaology on a negro girl named
Gin, about 13 years old, and also a
bill of sale stating that she was sound
and healthy and reasonably worth the
sum of $175.00. She was sold in
slavery to Angel DeFerrier the 27th
day of August, 1807, by Richard Davis,
and it is called a “certificate for
wench.”
DeFerrier died September 17, 1832,
and as I am informed he was buried
in the old Indian burying ground
where the bodies of many chieftains
and braves were interred after the
battles of 1656 and 1696, near the
side hill where the school house now
stands, but his body was afterwards
taken up and buried, and his final
resting place is marked by a beautiful
monument, erected by his wife, who
survived him. I have talked with
those who remember her well. They
say that even to the last of her years
down to the day of her death in
March, 1853, she had every mark of
refinement, and traces of the once
handsome Indian maiden could be
(31)W a m p s v i 11 e
seen. Her coffin was of a metallic
substance made after her form with
the feet extending the same as a
person would naturally lie if lying
upon their back, and it is thus that
two of the most prominent persons
of this section were quietly laid at
rest, and over the mounds in the
quiet resting place the green myrtle
is thickly matted and entwined itself
together as if saying, “In death we
are joined.”
OTHER EARLY RESIDENTS.
General I. S. Spencer was also one
of the early settlers in Wampsville.
He was an eminent lawyer. He came
there about the time of Myndert
Wemple and Angel DeFerrier, became
one of its prominent citizens, and
was one of the principal lawyers of
this State. He became very promi-
nent among the Indians. His wife,
who was Miss Polly Pearson, spoke
the Indian language very fluently and
was regarded by them as their bene-
factress in many ways. His son was
Julius A. Spencer. Frederick R. was
an artist. Charles A. Spencer is the
one who made the famous telescope
which cost $10,000.00 for Hamilton
College. Julius A. was father of Eu-
gene Spencer, who lived at the top
of the hill, and he also had one
daughter named Josephine Spencer,
who married Roscoe McConnell, and
(32)Other Early Settlers
by their marriage they had one child
by the name of R. A. McConnell,
who has come back to Wampsville.
and he was elected its first mayor.
He resides in the old house that was
built by Jesse Hollister in 1840. He-
man Ward owned it. James and
Aleck Stewart built the buildings
where Henry Frier now lives. Alfred
Fox lives in the house that Van-
Sices built.
Oran W. Parkhurst came to Wamps-
ville in 1836 and by frugality has
become the owner of a fine farm.
He was formerly connected with the
lumber business and at one time was
foreman in one of the saw mills up-
on Cowassalon Creek. He has one
daughter, Mary Bloss, who is the
wife of George Bloss, and who lives
near the old home.
Elijah Williams was one of the
nested lawyers of this state. He
owned large property at Wampsville,
known as the flats along the Cowassa-
lon Creek. Albert Williams is one
of the descendants of the noted law-
yer. His business abilities have en-
abled him to accumulate property and
he has been successful as a farmer.
A. M. Lynk, who lives near the
railroad, is a nephew of Zachariah
Lynk, who came to Wampsville about
1800, and owned the land a little
southeast of the school house. Mr.
Lynk believes in living ne&r his old
(33)W a m p s v i 11 e
home, a man of culture, refinement,
and a member of several organizations
including the Masonic, and one who
enjoys a good joke.
John W. Coe is also one of the
early settlers, settling in Wampsvilla
many years ago, and it is to him
that the people of the County of Mad-
ison are grateful for the magnificent
gift of the land whereon the County
Seat and County Buildings are sit-
uate, a man who is active in public
life and public improvements. No-
vember 10th, 1882, it was John W.
Coe who made the first argument
before the Board of Supervisors of
Madison County to change the Coun-
ty Seat to Wampsville. He has kept
the agitation up until the question
was finally submitted on the 4th day
of November, 1907, and the heighth
of his ambition was reached when the
proposition was carried for the re-
moval of the County Buildings, and
the County Seat, by 775 majority, and
on the 12th day of February, 1908,
John W. Coe deeded to the County
of Madison the present county seat
site for the sum of $1.00. Thus is
the public life of one of the proud-
est citizens of Madison County.
Among the early settlers near
Wampsville was Luther Hathaway,
who was born in 1790 in Duanesburg.
He then went to Stockbridge in 1812.
H. H. Hathaway, his son, was born
(34)Other Early Settlers
February 8, 1829. He is one of the
oldest residents in the vicinity who
remembers a great many of the old
buildings and residences. He used
to do a great deal of business in
various ways in Wampsville. He was
instrumental in dividing the old town
of Lenpx (Oneida, Lincoln and Len-
ox), which was divided April 21, 1896.
It is said that the first colored wo-
man that ever visited Wampsville
came with William and James Wads-
worth. They came from the east and
came through Wampsville, drove the
first o,x team and cart that ever came
through, and they had with them a
colored woman by the name of Jennie.
They established a colony upon the
Genesee River.
Miss Elinor Van De Walker is the
daughter of John Van De Walker. She
resides in the original house built by
Myndert Wemple, who was the foun-
der of Wampsville. Her father came
there in 1805. She still remembers
many of the early incidents connected
with the early settlement of Wamps-
ville.
John Harrington, the village shoe-
maker, was born in Wampsville. His
father, Nathaniel, came to Wamps-
ville in 1805. He lived a little dis-
tance from the old log school house,
near where one of the first mis-
sions was ever held in this place.
John Harrington has followed shoe-
(35)W a m p s v i 11 e
making since his boyhood, following
the trade of his father.
Last but not least of the many who
are deserving of mention are the two
old jesters, James Hardy and Major
Banks. They whiled away their hours
as did Souter Johnny and Tam-
O’Shanter in Bobby Burns’ day, and
it recalls to the mind of the writer
the birthplace of Bobby Burns, in
Ayr, Scotland, and the monument
erected to his memory. On one side
is the statue of Souter Johnny and on
the other is Tam-O’Shanter, and in
front is the Hour Glass of time,
which ofttimes reminds us that our
days as well as others are fleeting by.
Mr. Hardy and Major Banks were
the jesters of the day. They were
also the songsters. The roses of life
were strewn along their pathway and
their stories and songs delighted the
inhabitants. The traveling men
throughout the State of New York
have, many times, listened to them,
to their songs and stories, and it may
be truthfully said that at all times a
good story is an opal among gems in
the lonely life. You can turn it over
and over, and always get a new color,
so it is said of these two men, that
they were like unpolished opals, and
a monument erected to their memory
would be held befitting and proper.
R. A. McConnell, the great-grand-
son, is the first president of the new
(36)R. A. M’CONNELL
The First PresidentOther Early Settlers
village of Wampsville. Henry Frier,
one of its foremost business men,
was elected one of the trustees, to-
gether with Alfred Fox. George B.
Russell is the first village attorney
and D. 0. Norton is the first village
clerk. Allen Williams is the first
surveyor for the newly incorporated
village. Mr. Frier’s business is the
grocery, hay, feed and coal business.
He has made a success and it comes
without saying that he is a success-
ful and prudent man upon the board
of trustees, and now when the board
is called together at the office of
Mayor McConnell their minds often
go back to the early days of the his-
tory of Wampsville. At the old
Spencer House one day at the dinner
table sat four of the representative
men of our State and nation. They
happened to meet there by chance:
Gen. Scott, Gen. Wood, (Jen. Philip
Schuyler and Gen. VanRemssalaer.
This was in 1812. Then it was a
flourishing town, the center of legal
lights, enterprise and thrift, and they
wonder in amazement if history ever
repeats itself; and as they look to
the north and see the new county
buildings in their erection and the
beauty and grandeur of the work,
they say with one accord,
“Long may the flag of friendship wave,
Against the world combined,
Friends a welcome, foes a grave,
Beneath our borders find.”
(37)W a m p 3 v i 11 e
TRAILS, HIGHWAYS AND PLANK
ROADS.
Guy Johnson’s map filed in Al-
bany of this section of the country
shows that in 1771 there was a trail
which left the Mohawk River near
where Utica is now and went west-
ward through Wampsville. This
crossed two other trails. One came
from Fish Creek, passed through the
east end of Oneida Lake and through
the second Oneida village to where
Oneida Valley is now, and from there
it crossed through to the Cowassalon
Creek near the northern part of
Wampsville to Canastota, and to the
Ohitten,ango Creek. There were then
two Oneida villages. One was at
Oneida Castle and the other near
where the Lehigh Valley depot now
stands at Sylvan Beach, and many
relics have been taken therefrom,
such as crude cooking utensils, by
Charles Dutton, who is a relic seeker,
and has studied the early customs
and locations of many Indian villages.
The great Genesee road, now the
Seneca Turnpike, was formerly the
old trail, but in 1797 the Legislature
authorized lotteries for the raising of
$45,000.00, and the people along the
line of the road contributed 4,000 days
work. Wampsville did her share.
The road was laid out 64 feet wide,
and in June, 1797, when it was no
more than an Indian trail, they com-
(38)ALFRED FOX
Member of the First Board of TrusteesHigh ways and Plank Roads
menced to work by hauling in logs,
covering them with gravel and build-
ing causeways or bridges. The bridge
across the Cowassalon at Wampsville
was called the great bridge west of
Albany. The stream was then much
larger and very deep. The clearing
of the land and cutting away of the
timber has diminished the flow of
water and it is said that at one time
it covered an area of several acres of
land near where John W. Coe’s res-
idence is, and that the hill in back is
the accretions from the Creek bank,
which filled in and around it from the
channel, until the channel of the
creek was entirely changed.
On the 30th day of September, the
same year, the first stage was started
from Fort Schuyler through Wamps-
ville to Geneva. The stage stopped at
Mynder Wemple’s hotel. It took three
days to make the trip. By an Act
of the Legislature passed in 1800 a
charter was granted to the Genesee
Turnpike Company and the road was
finished in 1812. Parker and Levi
Stevens were granted the exclusive
privilege of running stages on the
turnpike in 1804 and they had notices
posted in the hotels at Wampsville to
the effect that “the fare was 5 cents
per mile and each passenger was al-
lowed 14 pounds of baggage.” The
first post mail was delivered from
Utica by a letter carrier upon horse-
(39)W a m p s v i 11 e
back, following the old English cus-
tom. Luther Cole was the first let-
ter carrier who brought Uncle Sam's
mail to Wampsville, where they have
always had a Post Office. The first
mail coach was driven through
Wampsville and delivered mail at all
the houses and the letters were ad-
dressed, “Wampsville on the Seneca
Turnpike, about 3 miles west of Onei-
da Castle.’* The writer has seen
several of the old letters written, at
that time. There was no envelope
that the address could be placed upon,
but it was folded so that the address
could be placed upon the outside of
one portion of the letter and was
stuck together with sealing wax. Ja-
son Parker drove the first mail coach.
It had four horses, and the contract
with the Government read as fol-
lows: “That he was to furnish 4
rigs, good and sufficient covered
wagons or sleighs and sufficient
horses to run the same, and not more
than 7 passengers were allowed to
ride in one coach, except by the
unanimous consent of each one of the
7 passengers.” We, of today, would
think it a queer contract, but in those
days they did not believe in being
crowded. It was not an uncommon
occurrence, in those days, to see 20
teams put up at Wampsville hotels for
dinner. In 1779, as the Seneca Turn-
pike was then the old Indian trail,
(40)Lenox Basin Road
Col. Van Slyke, with a detachment
of six companies of New York troops,
one of Pennsylvania, one of Massa-
chusetts, and one of Rifles—in all
about 504 men, marched through
Wampsville to Fort Schuyler. Every
mark of friendship and hospitality
was shown them. Thomas Spencer,
ope of the founders of Wampsville,
was the interpreter. The soldiers had
been instructed to offer no insult to
any of the inhabitants and if any
damage should be done that repara-
tion should be made at once, and I
am informed by one of the oldest
residents that the Indians were friend-
ly, as her father had told her, “to-
ward the soldiers” as they passed
through, and ofttimes the buttons
and trinkets which they had were
given to the Indians for some mark
of kindness shown to them.
THE LENOX BASIN AND COWAS-
SALON VALLEY ROAD.
This is the road running from
Lenox Basin through Wampsville and
to Siloam. Adam Rudd, father of
Seaman Rudd, John Cooper and Dun-
can McDougall built the road in 1840
and planked it. They procured most
of the plank from Luther Williams’
saw mill upon the Cowassalon. Luther
Williams was Albert Williams’ father.
This road had three toll gates, one
was where the Allen farm is, the next
(41)W a m p s v i 11 e
was where John Parkhurst’s farm
now lies, and the other was about %
of a mile this side of Siloam. Silas
Rouse kept the one near Merrills ville.
The one by Chester Foland’s was run
by William Howe. Each and every
person passing through there with a
double team or single horse had to
pay at the toll gate.
The road running from Wampsville
formerly ran somewhat north of its
present location. It was changed by
Charles C. Cooper, commissioner of
highways, on August 2, 1879, after the
old depot burned, to the present loca-
tion. The application for the change
was made by Lyman Avery. Each of
the streets above mentioned have been
changed by the village board. The
old plank road has been named Court
Street, upon the suggestion of A. A.
Capeling of Oneida; the road running
parallel with the New York Cen-
tral Railroad is called Center Street,
upon the suggestion of George B. Rus-
sell. The village board, by a resolu-
tion duly adopted and placed upon its
minutes, has caused to be placed
markers for the streets and highways.
The Erie Canal was the first high-
way of the State to make an inroad
and further the progress of Wamps-
ville. It was started in 1820 through
Lenox Basin, and George Perry ran
the first packet boat. It was called
the “Oneida Chief,*’ At that time
(42)Lenox Basin Road
Oneida was unknown and Oneida Cas-
tle was the principal place. The canal
extended from Utica to Montezuma.
Lenox Basin was then one of the
principal points upon the canal. It
derived its name from Lenox, which
place was formerly and originally
called, and the Basin was formed by
an expansion of the old canal, and the
boats turned around there, and it
has always went by that name ever
since. The survey of the canal was
first made the 17th day of April, 1816,
when, the Legislature passed an act,
and it was begun July 4, 1817. The
canal has since, by several acts of the
Legislature, been enlarged and the
course has been changed to where it
now lies.
The New York Central Railroad
was built in 1837, when Wampsville
was the center from Syracuse to
Utica, and the Syracuse and Utica
Railroad company selected Wampsville
as the principal town and attempted
to buy the property, which was held
at fabulous prices. They went to
Sands Higinbotham, who gave them
the land, and Oneida depot was in-
corporated June 20, 1848, under the
name of Oneida village; thus the
present County Seat of Wampsville
lost one of her golden opportunities.
Next was the coming of the West
Shore Railroad, which was built in
1880, and later was electrified, in 1907,
(43)W a m p s v i 11 e
and is now called the “Third Rail.”
There was also a street car line
running from Oneida to Wampsville,
known as the Oneida Railway.
BUSINESS INDUSTRIES.
The first grist mill that was built
was on the Cowassalon Creek by John
D. Kline, a millwright, of Johnstown.
The work was started August 5, 1815,
and was built near the bridge where
it crosses the creek on Seneca Turn-
pike. The mill cost $1,820.00. It was
used for the purpose of grinding all
kinds of grain, flour, feed, &c.
There was also a saw mill built
near by, where a large quantity of
lumber was sawed and just a little
ways back from the old mill site was
the distillery used for distilling wines
and liquors. This was built one year
after, by the same contractor, in 1816.
A large wagon factory was built
near Miss Van De Walker’s residence.
All kinds of wagons were built there,
heavy and light, and all kinds of
sleighs. A large number of workmen
were employed. Joseph Phillips was
the proprietor.
A harness factory was run by Will-
iam Graley. All kinds of harnesses
were made and there was also a large
shoe factory, which employed about
30 hands.
Across from the Central Depot near
where the house of F. M. Benjamin
(44)Business Idustries
now stands, there was a large hotel
built It was called the Railroad
House. It was built in 1855. Will-
iam Miller kept the hotel and it was
there that a distillery was run, up to
the time of the war. Barley was
$1.00 per bushel and com was
$1.00 a bushel. He bought the pro-
ducts in the vicinity of Wampsville
and he used the cellar for making
the whiskey and distilled liquors. He
had a large rectifying and filtering
plant; made high wines which he sold
for 14 cents a gallon, and retailers
sold it for 25 cents a gallon.
At that time there were three com-
missioners who granted licenses.
They were Senn Graham, Steven Van
Horn and Stephen Brownell. A per-
son could sell 5 gallons of whiskey
to any person at that time.
There was also a distillery built at
Lenox Basin just east of Where Henry
Frier's store is. The building was
built by James Stewart and Mr.
Loomis ran it. It afterwards burned
down.
There were a great many saw mills
at that time along the Cowassalon
Creek. There were three near the
Seneca Turnpike, another one down
the stream near Wimmitt’s. This
was owned by Luther Williams, father
of Albert Williams. Mr. Wimmitt,
above referred to, is a farmer, hav-
ing retired from what is called the
(45)Wa m p s v i 11 e
forwarding business, which he was
formerly engaged in in Buffalo. He
is a member of the Masonic frater-
nity and is respected by all who
know him.
Gideon Raymond also run a saw
mill near where Court Street now
crosses the Cowassalou Creek. Oran
W. Parkhurst ran the mill for Mr.
Raymond in 1848.
Lumbering was then a flourishing
industry and large numbers of teams
drew lumber to be shipped to the
cities.
In 1796 Mr. Handy, who was a tan-
ner by trade, as well as Mr. Graley,
who. came afterwards, did a large
tanning business. They tanned all
kinds of furs—the wolves, bears and
deer skins—and a great many of the
inhabitants wore deerskin pants and
some of them used them for rugs or
blankets.
The buildings now owned by Henry
Frier were the Stewart Brothers’—
Robert and James—and large quanti-
ties of grain were shipped from there.
They had a storehouse and a terminal
on the plank road. James Stewart
was once elected Sheriff of this Coun-
ty and later, about 1862, was elected
Member of Assembly, so that Wamps-
ville was once the home of some of
the County officers. It has also been
the home of some noted lawyers and
jurists.
(46)HENRY FRIER
Member of the First Board of TrusteesChurch Societies
At Lenox Furnace, a little south
of Wampsville, was a large, flourish-
ing iron company, known as the
Lepox Iron Company. It was organ-
ized in 1815. There were 400 shares
of $50.00 a share, to be paid in when
called for. William Cobb, who was
a resident of Wampsville, was one of
the directors, and also Col. Stephen
Chapman. The iron ore was brought
from Clinton and cast iron was man-
ufactured by the use of charcoal.
There was no way of smelting iron
at that lime by the use of hard coal.
Some of the first stoves were manu-
factured there; all kinds of hollow-
ware, including cauldron kettles, cast-
ings for plows, &c.
There was also a large department
store kept on the corner where the
little cigar store is now.
There was also a woolen, factory
run by George B. Cady, where cash-
meres and flannels were manufac-
tured, most of the employes living at
Wampsville.
CHURCH SOCIETIES.
The first church society that we
have any record of is the old Mis-
sion. It was known as the Jesuit Mis-
sion and was built of logs and located
near where the school house is now.
This Mission was established in 1679,
immediately before the great battle.
Father Pierre Millet established this
(47)W a m p s v i 11 e
first Mission. Father Lamberville
and Father Millet were missionaries
who travelled between Onondaga
and Oneida, preaching to the two
tribes at Wampsville. Father Millet
was taken as a prisoner while at his
Mission at Wampsville, near the Co-
wassalon Creek, and he was recalled
to Canada just before the battle of
August, 1679. The Jesuit missionary
came from Canada with several oth-
ers, and different missions were estab-
lished at the various Indian villages.
After the battle of 1679 the Mission
was destroyed. Next came the vari-
ous forms of religious belief. The In-
dians believed in the Great Spirit;
holding their councils and festivals,
among them being one known as the
Ab-dake-wao, or Green Corn Festi-
val. The first day was known as a
Feather Dance, and there were vari-
ous other dances, until the last day,
when consent would be given to the
marrying of one of the braves of
one tribe to one of the daughters of
the other tribe. It is said (by David
Cusick) that the festival lasted a
week in the early autumn, at which
merry-making was done and the two
tribes at Wampsville joined in smok-
ing the pipe of peace. It was then
that the Great Spirit was talked of.
They believed that the Great Spirit
helped the successful and turned his
face from those he designed should
(48)Masonry
be defeated. Following the advent
of the white settlers, the first church
society that is mentioned is a Pres-
byterian society, which was formed in
April, 1828, and the meeting house
was built in 1832 by the Stewart
Brothers, and I am informed that they
deeded the land to the society with
a clause therein that it was to re-
main the property of the society as
long as it was continued as a place
of religious worship.
MASONRY.
But very little has ever been print-
ed with reference to the early Ma-
sonic Fraternity of this county. In
the writer’s investigations it was his
privilege to have examined the origi-
nal charters that were granted to the
lodge, No. 281, known as Lenox Lodge
of Free and Accepted Masons. The
first charter that can be found was
in 1817. The officers were elected
for six months. The date of the
charter was the 25th day of June, A.
L., 5817, to the 27th day of Decem-
ber, A. L., 5818. Harvey G. Moore
was Worshipful Master. I. A. Spen-
cer was Senior Warden. Thomas
Spencer was Junior Warden. Myn-
dert Wemple was one of the charter
members. They joined the 25th day
of June. Pardon Barnard, afterwards
called Judge Barnard, was one of the
members. Ichabod S. Spencer was
(49)W a m p s v i 11 e
also a member. Luman Bull, men-
tioned as one of the charter members,
was one of the early residents of
Wampsville. He ran a shoe factory
there, where he employed a number
of men. He was the faJther of Hor-
ace Bull and Edwin Bull. Horace
Bull had two sons, named Charles
and Edgar. Charles Bull is one of
the prosperous farmers of this coun-
ty, well known in politics, and is a
staunch Republican. William Bull
was a son of Edwin Bull. He re-
sides at Chittenango and is a retired
farmer.
There were a number of lawyers
who were members of the order.
There were 61 members in all* Their
dues were $.75 per year and their in-
itiation fee was $1.25. The accom-
panying sheet shows a correct list of
members of the first Masonic Lodge
ever held in Wampsville.
Its meetings were held over the
hotel kept by Myndert Wemple, and
at the top of the hill where Chester
Poland now lives, also at what is
now known as Lenox Furnace, the
meetings alternating. The writer4 was
very much pleased when he saw the
old, original documents, as many of
the old residents have informed him
that up to the time of what is known
as “Morgan times” a bright and flour-
ishing lodge existed at Wampsville.
From the records in the Grand Lodge
(50)RETURN OF LENOX LODGE, NO. 281
Held in the Town of Lenox, in the County of Madison, in the State of New York
from December 27, A. L. 5822, to December 27, A. L. 5824.
Names of Members	Admissions
Stephen Chapman, Master
Ebenezer Robbins, S. Warden
Samuel Glidden, J. Warden
Lucius Brooks, Secretary
Wiliam Lamoreux, Treasurer
Syivester Beecher, P. Master
Thlomas Y. Veneese, P. M.
Joshua A. Spencer, P. M.
Thomas Spencer, P. M.
Thomas W. Phelps, P. M.
Ichabod S. Spencer, P. M.
Friend Barnard	5
Luman Bull
Dudley Catlen
Elisha Cranson
Festus Fish
Malachi Gardnar
Samuel Hollister
Abraham Howland
Samuel Hollady
Louden Millard
Ebenezer Nye
Simeon Olco t
Asher H. Palmer
Stephen W. Palmer
Asahel Prior
Eliphalet Spencer
Silvanus Seeber
Nehemiah Tower
John Yandusn
Myndert Wemple
Chauncey Webster
John T. Webb
Ward Walton
Ammon P. Adams
Nicholas N. Bost
George Baldwin, discharged
Collin Brooks
William Cobb
Reuben Clark
James Carroll
Alexander J. Danby
Joshua M. Fish
John Joslin
Moses Lawrence
George Harp
Chester Palmer, Initiated
John Molebins
John Millard
Randolph Sheeter
Timothy Goodwin
George Burton
Abraham T uttle
Isaac J. Forbes
LOUISS BROOKS, Secretary
AMOUNT OF
Initiations Quarter-ages Registry	Total
1 12*4 0 1 1 1	1214	1 121)4 1:12)4 1 1 1
1 1 1 0	12/4	1 1 1 1121)*
0	1234	1121)4
06	12*4	1121)4
1 0:50	12) 4	1 1 162)4
0:59	12)4	171)4
0	12)4	112)4
0	12)4	12)4
0	12)4	1)4
	$24 34 34 00 $55 34 S. CHAPMAN, Master	Masonry
of the State of New York it is learn-
ed that Lenox Lodge received its
charter, No. 281, June 5, 1817, and
surrendered the same in 1831.
Undoubtedly the largest Masonic
funeral that was ever held in the
County of Madison was held at
Wampsville. Harrison Frank was a
Mason and one of the first Masters
of Canastota Lodge, No. 231. He
travelled with Right Worshipful Wil-
liam H. Drew, Grand Lecturer, in the
State of New York, in 1862. Har-
rison Frank was the recognized rep-
resentative of the Grand Lodge in
Central New York, a good keeper of
the work. He, like most of us, be-
lieved in ill omens, and the night
prior to his starting for the field of
battle, after his enlistment, attended
the Canastota Lodge and acted as
Senior Deacon, with Dr. V. W. Mason
sitting in the east. Capt. Frank was
invited to the east and* as the Master
brought his gavel down for the hon-
ors to be given and the invitation
extended for Harrison Frank to take
a seat in the east, the head of the
gavel flew off the handle and struck
Harrison Frank in the breast. He
then made the remark that it was a
forerunner that he would be killed in
battle, and it has been said that later
he was shot in the identical spot
where the gavel struck him. Charlie
Near was near him and stayed with
(51)W a m p 3 v i 11 e
him until he died, which was at the
battle of Gettysburg, July 1st, 1863.
After a groat deal of trouble his
body was brought back to Waflnps-
ville and on the 2nd day of August,
1863, on Sunday, the Masons taking
charge of the funeral, Capt. Harrison
Frank was laid at rest. He was a
Captain in the 157th Regiment, New
York Volunteers. The funeral was
held in the open air in front of the
present residence of Mayor McCon-
nell. Eight special trains from Utica,
Rome and other places came to
Wampsville. They carried not only
Masons and their wives and families,
but a large body of Government
troops. The day was a perfect one
and Rev. Bro. Selah Stocking of Bing-
hamton preached the funeral sermon.
The service at the grave was given
by Bro. B. G. Williams of Utica.
The marshalls of the day were Broth-
ers C. D. Priest of Little Falls and
W. H. Durall of Utica. The cere-
mony was participated in by the
militia. The Oanastota Brass Band
was in attendance. (This is taken
from the private diary of George O.
Perry, made at the time.) A salute
of several guns was fired, both over
the body at the place of the funeral
and over the grave when he was laid
at rest Suitable and befitting reso-
lutions were adopted. It is said that
5,000 people witnessed the ceremonies.
(52)Masonry
It perhaps was the most imposing
and largest funeral that was ever held
in Madison County. The prominence
of the man, being the second Master
that Canastota Lodge had and an of-
ficer in the army, and his ability as
a keeper of the work and his friendly
grasp, won for him the many friends
that were in attendance.
Wampsville also furnished her quota
of soldiers among whom are the fol-
lowing, many more might be added
(but it has been difficult to get their
names) that served in the Rebellion
of 1861-65:
Joseph Phillips, William Hutton,
Jack Frost, Sam Crow, Simon Myrtle,
Joseph Stetson, LeRoy Drake, Asa
Drake, Jesse Lenison, Peter Cum-
mings, William Chrisman, Frank Goit,
Charlie Bentley, John Wright, Loren
Wright, John Dunham, James Wright,
Peter Dunham, Lonzo Dunham, Harp
Dunham, Christopher Wise, Mitchell
Miller, Douglas Steven, Henry Chris-
man, James Chrisman, Nate Scott,
William Mitchell, Richard Chesebro,
Joe Rosan, William Smith, Rush
Parkhurst, Harvey Lindsley, Hubert
Suits, John Miller, Jacob Halicus,
James Hooper, Charles Suits, Andrew
Harrington, Jacob Veling, Sylvester
Harrington, Amos Avery, John Tory,
Giles Whitman, West Turner, Steve
Harrington, Ephraim House, Jesse
Leonard, Lewis Van De Walker, John
(53)W a m p s v i 11 e
Campbell, Harrison Frank, William
Harrington, John Proctor, Hiram
Page.
This is not all that can be said of
Masonry in Wampsville. Wampsville
has been honored by the presence of
the Most Worshipful Grand Master
Samuel Nelson Sawyer, on the 7th
day of January, 1909, when the Wor-
shipful Grand Body was duly called
together and the imposing ceremonies
under the direction of the Most Wor-
shipful Grand Master of the State of
New York was had in the laying of
the corner-stone of the new Court
House. Large numbers of Masons
and various lodges all over the State
of New York, in all about 3,000, at-
tended and the Grand Master, with
a silver trowel, spread the cement for
the laying of the corner-stone, and
which united the building in one
solid mass of masonry, and it might
well be said that he also spread the
cement of brotherly love and affec-
tion which united all the people of
Madison, County into one common
band.
OLD WATER WORKS SYSTEM.
Wampsville at one time had a sys-
tem of water works. Zachariah Lynk
owned a spring and in 1837 the New
York Central Railroad bought this
spring, which is a little southeast of
the turnpike and of the church. They
(54)Water System
ran a pipe line from there through
to opposite where A. M. Lynk now
lives and there put up a tub and at
various places along run what is
known as a pent-stock and gave the
residents the privilege of using the
water. It also was conducted across
the street to the house formerly on
the site where Mr. Lynk now lives
and from there to the Railroad House
and the depot, being in one end o| it,
this having since burned and the
new depot, built on the opposite side.
The first train that went through
was witnessed by many people. It
was the 4th day of July, 1839. It was
an old fashioned railroad carriage,
and the writer is informed that at
Wampsville the Indians gathered with
the whites and as the train drew near
they retreated about four or five rods
from the track, and, as the people
witnessed it with awe and wonder-
ment, the Indians mourned the inroad
made upon the domain of their an-
cestors and scowls could be seen upon
their faces, but the whites looked on
the scene with gladness and joy. O.
W. Farkhurst together with Eldridge
Allen saw the first railroad train that
ever went through Wampsville. The
railroad house that was built where
the road now is leading to Oneida
was a very large structure and was
the place of meeting for large bodies,
such as election.
(55)W a m p s v i 11 e
WAMPSVILLE OF TO-DAY.
Thus it, may be seen, that over two
centuries have elapsed since Wamps-
ville became known in history and
the Red Men, who inhabited the
pleasant valley of the Cowassalon,
and who traversed the stream with
their laden canoes, have long since
gone to the Happy Hunting Grounds,
and there now can be seen thickly
dotted here and there pretty homes
and the iron horse has taken the
place of the old stage coach and the
electric cars are supplanting engines.
It was duly incorporated on the
27th day of September, 1907, under
the general law of the incorporation
of villages.
It is a thriving village and, with the
new county buildings built at a cost
of $200,000 and the improvements
which are in the future and its
enterprising and energetic citizens,
promises to be one of the great places
of the State of New York.
Courage and perseverance are magi-
cal talismen before which all
obstacles vanish in the air. Industry,
frugality and disinterested integrity
are like virtues of the residents of
Wampsville.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion let the render of this
historical sketch remember that most
of the data selected is taken from
(56)Conclusion
documents and oral statements of the
oldest residents and memorandums
kept by them. Errors and omissions
may have occurred, but that may be
due to the memory of the old resi-
dents. The readers have before them
the best that the writer has been
able to learn from research.